THE BC Liberals on Thursday said that while violent crime continues to spiral out of control on our streets and people struggle to access health care in a timely manner, Premier-designate David Eby has decided that suspending the legislative session is more important than debating these serious issues and coming up with actionable solutions.
“David Eby said he was going to ‘hit the ground running’ but instead, he’s hitting the brakes on the valuable time we could spend working to solve the major concerns of British Columbians,” said Opposition House Leader Todd Stone.
“If he wanted to, David Eby could be in his seat in the legislative chamber today. How can people have any faith in his big promises to tackle crime, health care, housing and more when he’s not even willing to carry out the rest of the fall legislative session?”
Stone said Eby can’t hide from his record of failures forever, in the House or otherwise. Stone noted housing affordability and public safety have never been worse under Eby’s watch, and after offering virtually no new ideas during his leadership campaign, people want to hear his concrete plans and actions now.
Meanwhile, Adam Olsen, House Leader for the B.C. Green Caucus, asked: “What is taking so long to get the premier up and running?”
He added: “This is completely unacceptable, there is no reason why there should be a month long delay in transition. He has been absent from the House and now he’s cutting a week of session, it is increasingly looking like Premier-designate David Eby does not want to be asked questions or be held accountable.”
Olsen sadi in a statement: “It took Rishi Sunak three days to be sworn in and become U.K. Prime Minister and stand to be held accountable in their House. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith won a leadership vote on October 6th and was sworn in on October 11.
“David Eby is not a new member, he has a seat in the Assembly, he has been a high ranking member of the Cabinet since 2017, he is certainly familiar with how government operates and there should not be this delay. He was at Government House just yesterday meeting with the Lieutenant Governor for yet another photo op, why not swear him in then?
“On August 23 the Premier-designate told the press he was frustrated with the candidacy of Anjali Appadurai because it meant delaying his Premiership by several months and because he saw some profound challenges that required a response.
“It is deeply disappointing that now he has the top job he is reluctant to take his seat, get to work, and be held accountable.”